VehicleVerdict

2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is among the quieter years of the Grand Cherokee on NHTSA's books: 195 complaints (79% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 50 reports (26% of the total).

195

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Grand Cherokee years?

Grand Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted3,381 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 5 complaints1991: 7 complaints1992: 4 complaints1993: 784 complaints1994: 775 complaints1995: 983 complaints1996: 1,250 complaints1997: 1,433 complaints1998: 1,349 complaints1999: 2,319 complaints2000: 1,855 complaints2001: 1,128 complaints2002: 1,771 complaints2003: 889 complaints2004: 1,572 complaints2005: 2,733 complaints2006: 1,754 complaints2007: 1,478 complaints2008: 990 complaints2009: 195 complaints2010: 171 complaints2011: 2,425 complaints2012: 2,325 complaints2013: 1,111 complaints2014: 3,381 complaints2015: 1,747 complaints2016: 437 complaints2017: 559 complaints2018: 1,199 complaints2019: 533 complaints2020: 344 complaints2021: 660 complaints2022: 459 complaints2023: 660 complaints2024: 415 complaints2025: 107 complaints2026: 10 complaints
Grand Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5026%
Engine2714%
Transmission2312%
Tires & Wheels1910%
Other126%
Airbags126%
Speed Control126%
Steering116%
Body & Structure95%
Fuel System84%
Brakes42%
Lighting32%
Suspension21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seat Belts11%
Seats11%

Does the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V175000Electrical SystemMay 7, 2013 · 295,345 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.

Consequence

If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

09E039000SuspensionJune 19, 2009 · 44 units

Defect

ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.

09V118000AirbagsApril 9, 2009 · 4,314 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V175000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 30, 2013

“WHILE DRIVING THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, THE CAR COMPLETELY TURNS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. WITHIN SECONDS POWER STEERING IS LOST. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY INITIATING EVENT AND OCCURS AT RANDOM. MOST RECENTLY THE ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 8 TIMES, WITHOUT ANYTHING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 8, 2009

“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK VEHICLE, WITH ONLY BRAKE BEING APPLIED, AND MOTOR ALLOWED TO IDLE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED. ALL ATTEMPTS TO STOP VEHICLE BY HARD APPLICATION OF FOOT BRAKE FAILED, AND VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A BUILDING. SUBSEQUENT INVESTGATION BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS FAST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 21, 2013 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 8, 2012

“ON AUGUST 26, 2014, THIS 2009 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO 4X4 VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING SERIOUS CERVICAL AND SPINAL INJURIES TO A PEDESTRIAN. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKED POSITION, ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE DRIVER TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, KEPT MOVING FORWARD ON ITS OWN ACCORD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 26, 2014 · crash

2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 195 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Grand Cherokee year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Grand Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (50 complaints), engine (27 complaints), transmission (23 complaints).

Does the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2005, 2011, 2012, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2015, 2004, 2007, 1997, 2018, 2013, 2023, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2016, 2020. The cleanest record among Grand Cherokee years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.